Letter_of_Application

1. LETTER OF
APPLICATION
A letter of application, also known as a cover
letter, is a job application document sent with
your resume to provide additional information
about your skills and experience.
The letter of application is intended to provide
detailed information on why are you are a
qualified candidate for the job you are applying
for. Effective application letters explain the
reasons for your interest in the specific
organization and identify your most relevant skills
or experiences.
Your application letter should let the employer
know what position you are applying for, what
makes you a strong candidate, why they should
select you for an interview, and how you will
follow up.

2. An application letter (sometimes called a
Cover Letter) is usually submitted together
with your CV or application form.
Application letters allow you to provide a
short personal introduction to the
information (employment history,
academic qualifications and relevant skills)
contained in your CV.

3. PURPOSE
A company looking to take on a new
employee in Zambia may request a CV and
an Application Letter as part of the job
application process. The purpose of an
Application Letter is to introduce oneself
and to support your CV and to express
your interest in attending an institution or
receiving a position. A well written
Application Letter can help you stand out
from other applicants and is therefore
vitally important.

4. DIFFERENT
BETWEEN
APPLICATION LETTER
AND CV
An Application Letter is different to a CV as
it allows you to demonstrate your
knowledge of the organisation, the
position you are interested in, and the
reasons why you want to work for the
company.

5. LETTER APPLICATION
TIPS
Always write one
Use business letter format
Sell yourself
Use keywords
Keep it brief

6. FORMAT
There is no standard Application Letter format. That
said, unless your job application states otherwise you
should:
Find the name of the individual and/or address of the
department for the organisation that you would like to
submit your CV.
Be concise – 1 or 2 pages should be enough for an
Application Letter.
Demonstrate that you have done some homework on
the organisation.
Keep your sentences and paragraphs short and
succinct.
Ensure that the letter looks professional and has no
spelling mistakes or grammatical errors.

7. WRITING A LETTER
OF APPLICATION
Heading
Subject
Greeting
Body of letter
Salutation
Signature

8. HEADING
Your heading should include your name,
address, city, state, and zip code, followed
by your phone number and email. The date
should be on the next line. Then you
should list the name of the company
contact, their title, the company address
and city, state, and zip code. If you are
sending your letter via email as an
attached document, title the document
with your name and the job title.

9. SUBJECT
List the job you are applying for and your
name in the subject line of your email
message, so the employer is clear as to
what job you are interested in and who you
are.

10. GREETING
Begin your letter greeting with
"Dr./Mr./Ms. Lastname." If you do not
know the employer's last name, simply
write "Dear Hiring Manager" or leave the
greeting off the letter and start with the
first paragraph.

11. BODY OF LETTER
First Paragraph: Explain why you are
writing - mention the job you are applying
for and where you found the listing.
Middle Paragraph(s): State what you have
to offer the employer - mention why your
skills and experiences are a good fit for
the job. For each skill or quality you
mention, provide a specific example.
Last Paragraph: Say thank you to the
hiring manager for considering you and
note how you will follow up.

12. SIGNATURE
End your letter with a polite closing, such
as “Sincerely” or “Regards”, and your
signature (handwritten if you are sending it
by post), followed by your typed name. If
this is an email, simply include your typed
name, followed by your contact
information.